Our shore excursion began at Port Canaveral, where we boarded a comfortable tour bus with 45 fellow travelers. Our knowledgeable guide immediately began pointing out the sights as we made our way towards the Sands Space History Center.
As we drove, we couldn’t help but be amazed by the incredible Launch Complex 41, which had been used for multiple Mars and outer planet launches as well as the Titan IV rocket program. The history and engineering behind these launches were truly awe-inspiring.
On the right side of the bus, we caught sight of some enormous fuel storage tanks, which are used by NASA and other rocket companies like SpaceX, as well as some Morton Salt Storage tanks. It was a fascinating glimpse into the workings of the space industry and the infrastructure that supports it.
Sands Space History Center
15-minute drive | 1-hour inside visit
100 Spaceport Way, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Upon arriving at the Sands Space History Center, we had the honor of meeting Robert Graveline, a true veteran of the Rocket and Space program. Graveline began his work in 1952 with the Snark Missile program and continued through to the Space Shuttle program, retiring in 1992. His impressive career and wealth of knowledge made for an unforgettable experience.
Robert regaled us with countless stories from the early days of the program, sharing intimate details of conversations and incidents that had occurred along the way. His tales were absolutely captivating and had us all on the edge of our seats. Honestly, I could have happily spent the entire day just listening to him speak.
During our visit, Robert informed us that the first launch from Cape Canaveral took place in 1950, which was an incredible feat. He also shared a fascinating tidbit: that the popular compound WD-40 was actually invented during this time to help overcome water displacement issues. After undergoing rigorous testing, it was finally certified on its 40th attempt – hence the name “Water Displacement #40.” It was yet another testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of the space program’s pioneers.
After perusing the fascinating collection of artifacts on the museum-like walls and picking up some souvenirs at the gift shop, we headed over to the Wild Ocean Seafood Market to continue our adventure.
Wild Ocean Seafood Market
15-minute drive | 40-minute inside/outside visit
710 Bluewater Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
At the Wild Ocean Seafood Market, we were greeted by the Christina Ann from Beaufort, NC, which had just returned from three weeks out on the fishing waters. The crew was busy unloading sack after sack of fresh Rock Shrimp, each weighing between 40 to 70 pounds. It was incredible to think that a full vessel could contain up to 8,000 sacks – equivalent to a semi-truckload and a half of shrimp!
As we stepped inside the shop, we were treated to an informative presentation on the wide variety of fish and shrimp available. We even had the chance to sample several of the different types, which was a real treat. As a perfect finishing touch, we were pleasantly surprised to receive a complimentary beverage of our choice – water, Gatorade, or soda.
Afterwards, we stepped back outside to witness the ongoing unloading process of the Christina Ann. As we watched, a large crane worked to right a recently returned SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster behind us, preparing it for transport back to their NASA facilities. It was a remarkable juxtaposition of the old and new, showcasing the evolution of space technology and the enduring legacy of the fishing industry in this fascinating part of the world.
Our next stop was the Florida Key Lime Pie Company, and we set off on our journey, passing through the charming town of Cape Canaveral along the way. It was amazing to think that this town was founded in 1963 specifically because of the space program, a testament to the profound impact that the industry has had on this region over the years.
The Florida Key Lime Pie Company
10-minute drive | 2-minute walk | 40-minute inside visit/free time
102 Dixie Ln, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
When we arrived at The Florida Key Lime Pie Company, we found ourselves just a few blocks away from the stunning seafront at Cocoa Beach. We took a leisurely stroll over flat ground to reach the store, soaking in the scenery as we went.
As we stepped inside The Florida Key Lime Pie Company, we were greeted with a delightful treat – a small sample of Key Lime Pie pretzel and a piece of Coconut Candy. While we had hoped to witness some kind of mass Key Lime Pie creation, we were content to peruse the selection of pies available for purchase.
We wrapped up our time at The Florida Key Lime Pie Company and found that we still had half an hour left. Without hesitation, we decided to make the most of it by heading over to the legendary Ron Jon Surf Shop, which was conveniently located just across the street. We were excited to have some extra time to explore this iconic destination and see what kind of memorabilia we might find.
Ron Jon Surf Shop
The Ron Jon surf shop was a massive store that had everything imaginable for surf and beach enthusiasts. It was the perfect place to do some souvenir shopping and pick up some mementos from our trip. While browsing the selection, we stumbled upon a truly unique item – a bracelet that could track the movements of an African elephant. It was the perfect souvenir to bring home to our granddaughter, and we knew she would be thrilled with such an uncommon piece of jewelry.
As we made our way back to the bus, we couldn’t resist taking a speedy detour to the Cocoa Beach boardwalk to snap a quick photo. It was the perfect way to capture a memory of our visit to this beautiful coastal town before heading back to the ship.
Return to Port Canaveral
10-minute drive
Cruise Terminal Dr, Port Canaveral, FL 32920
As we said goodbye to Cocoa Beach and began making our way back to the pier, we couldn’t help but catch one more glimpse of the largest launch pad in the world.
SpaceX Hauling and Recovery Vessels
With our shore excursion coming to a close, and making our way back to the Nieuw Statendam, we couldn’t help but notice three ships – Megan, Shannon, and Doug – sitting off the bow. While we weren’t entirely sure, we suspected that these might be hauling and recovery vessels used in conjunction with the Falcon 9 rocket, as we had seen earlier in the day.
These ships are generally equipped with large nets that can be used to catch the returning boosters as they make their descent, allowing for their safe retrieval and reuse in future launches.
Cruise Port: Port Canaveral, Florida, US
Shore Excursion: Highlights of Port Canaveral
Cruise Line/Ship: Holland America Nieuw Statendam
Tour Operator: Go Port Canaveral
© OceansAfoot
